Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play their first match of the three-match women’s T20I series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Both sides aim to make a successful end to their tour by doing well in the upcoming T20I series after the recently ended ODI series.
The Pakistan team is led by Muneeba Ali as the captain of the team, as there would not be the regular captain of the side. Fatima Sana had to leave for England to participate in The Hundred competition; hence, Muneeba would be leading the team as captain in the T20I series. Muneeba has led the Pakistani side in both T20Is and ODIs previously.
The opening match marks the start of a fresh contest after Sri Lanka claimed the preceding three-match ODI series 2-1 despite Pakistan winning the opener. Both squads have since shifted from Hambantota to Dambulla, where they completed training sessions ahead of the T20 fixtures.
Pakistan have introduced eight changes to the squad that featured in their previous T20 assignment, bringing in a mix of emerging and experienced players. Among the newcomers are Eman Naseer and Maham Anees, who are in line to make their T20I debuts, alongside several other young cricketers expected to strengthen the team’s depth. Sri Lanka has also refreshed their lineup, adding three players from their domestic system following the ODI series.
Historically, Pakistan holds a slight advantage in women’s T20Is against Sri Lanka, having won 11 of the 21 matches played between the two sides, with one encounter ending without a result. The teams have met in three previous bilateral T20I series, with Pakistan winning the most recent contests in Colombo in 2018 and completing a 3-0 sweep in Karachi in 2022. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, won the inaugural series between the two nations in 2015.
Speaking ahead of the series, Muneeba said Pakistan aims to conclude the tour with a series victory while providing opportunities for younger players to gain international experience. She added that the team expects a competitive challenge from Sri Lanka and has prepared accordingly for the conditions in Dambulla. The remaining T20Is are scheduled for August 2 and August 4, both at the same venue.
